Gold for Paralympian chemistry graduate

Hand cyclist Karen Darke claimed gold in Rio beating the USA and Italy into silver and bronze positions. Karen graduated in 1992 with a degree in Chemistry and Geological Sciences.

Karen secured the medal in the women's time trial with an average speed of 35.5km/h.

University of Leeds graduates claimed three gold medals and one silver in the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, with one helping set a new world record in the process.

Swimmer Claire Cashmore, who completed her degree in Linguistics and Phonetics in 2011 claimed gold as part of the TeamGB women's 4x100m medley relay in a world record time of 4.45.23.

The medal is Claire's first gold of her career, she also secured a silver medal three days earlier in the women's 100m breaststroke.

In addition, Claire competed in the women's 100m butterfly, the women's 200m individual medley and in the women's team 4x100m freestyle relay.

The Leeds cohort's second gold medal was secured by Grace Clough who graduated in 2013 with a degree in Sociology. Rower Grace was part of the mixed coxed fours team which beat the USA and Canada to claim the top position.

He said: "Our graduates who took part in the Paralympics and those who won medals have proved they can compete at the very highest levels. They are an inspiration to us all and I congratulate them on their success."